Department of African American Studies

College of Humanities and Sciences

Current StudentsGive

News

Two men in early 20th Century dress lean against a vehicle in front of a wooden barn

2026 Oscar Reviews: 'Sinners'

March 10, 2026

On March 15, the 98th Academy Awards will showcase the best – and most talked-about – films of the year. Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, some VCU professors shared their thoughts on films that aligned with their area of expertise and will be in contention in a variety of categories.

Nardos Iyob

Nardos Iyob (B.A. ’20) raises awareness for a major adolescent development study

Nov. 10, 2025

Iyob’s survey of the humanities as a Department of Political Science and Department of African American Studies double major prepared her to work in research

Students Jimmy Perez Hernandez, Savvy Figueroa, Layla Hashish and Ashley Dominguez helped to collect donated items, which will be provided to Southwood Apartments residents. (Contributed photo)

VCU students help collect sweatshirts and more for local families

Sept. 12, 2025

The recent donation drive connects the classroom to the community, College of Humanities and Sciences organizer says.

VCU announces recipients of 2025 faculty awards for scholarship, teaching excellence

Sept. 10, 2025

Interim Provost Beverly J. Warren today announced 30 winners of VCU’s National/International Recognition Awards and 25 winners of the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards.

In a new virtual lecture series, VCU’s Grace Gipson explores the Afrofuturism movement’s evolution as well as its many forms and contributors. (Contributed photo)

From fashion to funk, virtual lecture series explores Afrofuturism

Aug. 8, 2025

In a six-part exclusive on Audible, VCU’s Grace Gipson gives shape to how a movement has influenced our culture.

Genealogist Viola Baskerville taught students in the Gabriel Summer Institute how to research their own family history. (Jonathan Mehring, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Gabriel Summer Institute helps high school students uncover their roots

July 9, 2025

The VCU program explored Richmond’s Black history and taught genealogy research skills.

Adam Ewing, Ph.D., will spend the year in residence in North Carolina, joining more than 30 other scholars as he works on his new book, a history of popular pan-Africanism in the 20th century. (Contributed photo)

African American studies professor Adam Ewing earns National Humanities Center fellowship

May 19, 2025

He will spend the upcoming academic year working on his book about 20th-century pan-Africanism.

Cloud Easterly, a second-year communication arts major at VCU, said the Graphic Narratives Lab fellowship was the push they needed to bring their ideas to life. Here, their character Suko poses with some sidekicks. (Contributed by Cloud Easterly)

Undergraduates flex their comics creativity in VCU’s Graphic Narratives Lab

April 24, 2025

The initial cohort of students explores visual storytelling and scholarship.

From left: Sesha Joi Moon, Chuck Richardson, Shawn Utsey, Stephanie Rizzi and Christopher Brooks during the recent “Restoration and DEI: Where are We Now?” panel discussion at VCU. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Panelists assess historical shadows and modern perspectives on DEI and restorative justice

Oct. 22, 2024

The discussion, offered by VCU’s Project Gabriel and Common Book program, highlights personal connections and broad-based insights.

Shawn Utsey

Shawn O. Utsey appointed chair of AFAM

July 1, 2024

Utsey has served as acting chair of the department since September.